Rhododendron L. Plant Named &#39;Sweetheart&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘Sweetheart’ is a new variety of rhododendron. This variety was produced by the hybridization of the ‘Coral Moon’ variety with the ‘Atlas’ variety in 2011. The plant may be used, e.g., as a flowering plant for outdoor cultivation, or as a potted plant. ‘Sweetheart’ is visibly appealing, and produces flowers comprising a corolla that comprises bright red-purple and light purple-pink colors.

Plant name and variety denomination: Latin name of the genus and speciesof the plant claimed: Rhododendron L. The claimed plant is ahybridization of different species. The parental lines of the claimedplant resulted from the hybridization of different species. Common namesof the claimed plant's species: Rhododendron, Azalea, Azaleodendron.Variety denomination: ‘Sweetheart’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rhododendron is a genus of woody plants in the Ericaceae family, eitherevergreen or deciduous, and found mainly in Asia, although it is alsowidespread throughout the highlands of the Appalachian Mountains ofNorth America. Most species have brightly colored flowers that bloomfrom late winter through to early summer.

Both species and hybrid rhododendrons (including azaleas) are usedextensively as ornamental plants in landscaping in many parts of theworld, including both temperate and subtemperate regions. Many speciesand cultivars are grown commercially for the nursery trade.

Rhododendrons are often valued in landscaping for their structure, size,flowers, and the fact that many of them are evergreen. Azaleas arefrequently used around foundations and occasionally as hedges, and manylarger-leafed rhododendrons lend themselves well to more informalplantings and woodland gardens, or as specimen plants.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘Sweetheart’ is a new variety of rhododendron (more specifically azalea,still more specifically azaleodendron) bred by pollinating variety‘Coral Moon’ with pollen from variety ‘Atlas’ in 2011. The plant may beused, e.g., as a flowering plant for outdoor cultivation or as a pottedplant.

‘Sweetheart’ is visibly appealing, and produces flowers comprising acorolla that has spots and bright red-purple and light purple-pinkcolors.

‘Coral Moon’ rhododendron (unpatented) is a rhododendron variety thatoriginated in Japan in 2003. ‘Coral Moon’ was produced by thehybridization of the ‘Rouge Magic’ (unpatented) variety with the‘Wedding Bouquet’ (unpatented) variety. This variety has a small treesize in the shape of a dome. The flowers of this variety have a smalldiameter with a bright pinkish-red color. There are about 15 pieces ofblossom flower in the shape of a small dome.

‘Atlas’ rhododendron (unpatented) is a rhododendron variety thatoriginated in Japan in 2005. ‘Atlas’ was produced by the hybridizationof the ‘Helios’ variety with the ‘Blue Eye’ variety. This variety has amedium tree size and spreading branches. The flowers of this varietyhave a medium diameter and a pale red color. There are about 15 piecesof flower blossoms in the shape of a pyramid.

‘Sweetheart’ was asexually reproduced by tissue culture in Japan atKamiogoso2080, Anocho Toshima, Tsu-shi, Mie, 514-2322. Specifically,propagation was carried out by taking a growing point from a lateral budof a sprout and cultivating the growing point, without use of callus.Plants propagated from a ‘Sweetheart’ plant by asexual or vegetativemeans are uniform and stable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a ‘Sweetheart’ plant body.

FIG. 2 is a photograph depicting the full view of young ‘Sweetheart’plants being cultivated in a divided tray.

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing an enlarged view of a ‘Sweetheart’flower.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of a dissected ‘Sweetheart’ flower.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of flowers of comparative variety ‘Mrs. Fujii’.

FIGS. 6A-D are photographs showing measurements of various differentparts of ‘Sweetheart’ plants. The units shown are centimeters.

FIG. 7 is a photograph of the plant body (including flowers) of parentalvariety ‘Atlas’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

Variety: ‘Sweetheart’

Species of the plant claimed: Rhododendron L. The claimed plant is ahybridization of different species. The parental lines of the claimedplant resulted from the hybridization of different species.

Common names of the claimed plant's species include: Rhododendron,Azalea, Azaleodendron

Characteristics of ‘Sweetheart’ provided herein were observed when theplant was cultivated in the open with rain cover at Akatsuka Garden Co.,Ltd., “first farm” having an address at Ueogoso2080, Anocho Toshima,Tsu-shi, Mie, 514-2322, Japan. Descriptive terms used in Tables 1, 2,and 3 herein are consistent with the Japanese Examination Standard forRhododendron/Azalea (Rhododendron L.), TG/42/6 1995-10-20, pages 1-17,available at www.hinshu2.maff.go.jp/info/sinsakijun/kijun/1543.pdf, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Properties and characteristics of ‘Sweetheart’ are described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Properties and characteristics of ‘Sweetheart’ Class Value(Numeric Charact- Data) of eristic ‘Sweet- No. Description State ofExpression heart’**  1 Plant: persistence of evergreen 3 leaves 24Flower: shape open funnel-shaped 2 25 Flower: diameter medium 5 30Corolla lobe: number of two 2 colors on upper side (excluding markingsof the throat) 31 Corolla lobe: main color Japan color standard Not onupper side for horticultural plants Applicable (JHS) Color Chart No.9506 (bright red- purple) 32 Corolla lobe: secondary JHS Color Chart No.Not color on upper side 9502 (light purple- Applicable pink) 35 Corollalobe: medium 5 conspicuousness of markings of the throat 36 Corollalobe: type of spots not touching 1 markings each other 42 Time ofbeginning of late* 7 flowering *Early April to mid-April, e.g., April5^(th), when grown at Akatsuka Garden Co., Ltd., “first farm” having anaddress at Ueogoso2080, Anocho Toshima, Tsu-shi, Mie, 514-2322, Japan.**Numerical Values in this column correspond to the “state” in the Tableof Characteristics of the Japanese Examination Standard forRhododendron/Azalea (Rhododendron L.), TG/42/6 1995-10-20, pages 1-17,available at www.hinshu2.maff.go.jp/info/sinsakijun/kijun/1543.pdf.

When grown in Tsu-shi, Mie, 514-2322, Japan (or in an areas with asimilar latitude and climate) ‘Sweetheart’ should be planted betweenearly October to late March. In this region, flowering time is fromearly April to mid-April. Locations suitable for the growth of‘Sweetheart’ included mesic areas with good drainage and a soil pH of5.0 to 5.5.

A variety that is similar to ‘Sweetheart’ is ‘Mrs. Fuji’.Characteristics of ‘Sweetheart’ and ‘Mrs. Fuji’ are compared in Table 2.Flowers of ‘Mrs. Fuji’ are shown in FIG. 5.

TABLE 2 Distinguishable Characteristics between ‘Sweetheart’ and ‘Mrs.Fujii’ Denom- State of ination Expression in State of of SimilarDescription of Similar Expression in Variety Characteristics VarietyCandidate Variety Mrs. Fujii Corola lobe: main color 9204 (vivid 9506(bright on upper side purple-pink) red-purple)

A comparison between features of ‘Sweetheart’ and its parental varietiesis provided in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Description of Physical Differences between Parental PlantsCharacteristic of Variety flower Shape of tree, etc. Origin ClainedVariety: Medium diameter with Medium size of tree First hybridized in2011. ‘Sweetheart’ edge color, red-pink having spreading Flowering firstobserved and white in the branch in 2014. bottom. 25 pieces of blossomflower in the shape of pyramid Mother Variety: Small diameter flowers,Small size of tree in the Original variety obtained ‘Coral Moon’ brightpinkish-red. 15 shape of a dome. by hybridization of pieces of blossom‘Rouge Magic’ variety flower in the shape of with ‘Wedding Bouquet’small dome. variety in 2003. Father Variety: Medium diameter Medium sizeof tree Original variety obtained ‘Atlas’ flower, pale red. havingspreading by hybridization of Around 15 pieces of branch. ‘Helios’variety with blossom flower in the ‘Blue Eye’ variety in shape ofpyramid 2005.

It will be understood that the average size of the plant may vary withlocation, season, nutrition, irrigation, etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Rhododendron L. plant named‘Sweetheart’ as illustrated and described.